OK, it's a first world problem and all that. But a 911-owning friend on the cusp of parenthood posed the 'what can I buy?' question to me the other day and it led me to this rather eccentric choice.
And, yes, I did first answer 'just buy a Golf' but that failed the other half test.
No beauty but there's more than meets the eye
The requirements in this case are complex and with many hidden mantraps. Basic needs include a degree of understated badge snobbery, five doors, decent performance and preferably four-wheel drive and perhaps a slightly elevated ride height. You'd think all roads here are headed Allroad and that would be one course of action.
But there's more than a whiff of PHness required. But not too much, in case that marginalises the case for continued Porsche ownership. Yep, heart bleeds and all that!
My default answer to these kind of questions would usually be Subaru Forester, for that perfect blend of classless green wellies unpretentiousness and - with a turbo - slightly wobbly, top heavy Impreza cross country pace. This one would do nicely. Or, if a slightly more relaxed pace is fine, a Legacy.
Space for buggy? Sorted - thanks Ben in Essex!
I did offer up the Mazda 3 MPS, another underground favourite of mine, and there are plenty of pleasingly low-key silver and black ones
around for £5-6K
. Bargain. Possibly a bit boy-racer still, the rep-race vibe of
the 6 MPS
also a bit too testosterone heavy. So something mummy friendly but still PHworthy.
If only there was something with the 6 MPS running gear but a less in your face image. There is! And here it is - seven grand's worth of Mazda CX-7. The later diesel one is probably the CX-7 most people wanted but before Mazda realised that it did a petrol version. It's not beautiful, it's not especially cool it'll probably cost quite a bit to run but it does give you 260hp, four-wheel drive, a crisp manual gearbox and surprisingly sprightly handling for an MPV with a bit of an identity crisis. That, for me, gives it the necessary PH credentials. Any takers?
MAZDA CX-7
Engine: 2,261cc 4-cyl turbo
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Power (hp): 260@5,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 280@3,000rpm
MPG: 27.6mpg (NEDC combined)
CO2: 243g/km
First registered: March 2010
Recorded mileage: 68,500
Price new: £23,960
Yours for: £7,250